In June 2005, the Ramacrisna Institute created the Youth Orchestra with the aim of bringing the beauty of classical music to the reality of children and young people in situations of personal and social risk, living in the community of Vianópolis, in Betim, aged between 12 and 24 years.
The project includes classes for 43 musicians on musical theory and practice, which include string, wind and percussion instruments. Renowned teachers from the Barros family – Alexandre (wind), Elias (violin) – are the ones who, together with Maestro Eliseu, promote the musical development of talented musicians.
Throughout its 19 years of training, the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra has performed at major cultural venues in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte, including the CCBB, Bradesco Theater, Cine Theatro Brasil Vallourec, Palácio das Artes, Natural Sciences Museum at PUC, and many others. Its diverse and high-quality artistic repertoire has attracted collaborations with renowned artists, such as the Italian tenors Claudio Mattioli and Massimiliano Barbolini, the lyric tenor Felipe Peletta, Seu Jorge, Saulo Laranjeira, Trio Amaranto, DoContra, the band Tianastacia, among others.
In 2024, the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra experienced a historic moment in its history by celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Ramacrisna Institute with a grand spectacle alongside Seu Jorge. On the stage of the Grande Theatro Unimed-BH, our young musicians had the unique opportunity to share their art with one of the biggest names in Brazilian music, demonstrating all the talent and dedication that make the orchestra a transformative project. The event reaffirmed the importance of music as a tool for inclusion and social development, thrilling the audience and strengthening the purpose of bringing culture and opportunities to more people. Check it out:
Violinist, conductor and composer Eliseu Martins de Barros has a bachelor’s degree in violin from UFMG, a master’s degree in Social Management, Education and Local Development from UNA BH and a postgraduate degree in Neuroscience and Psychoanalysis applied to Education. He has been a spalla and soloist in various Brazilian orchestras, as well as conducting the Sesc MG Chamber Orchestra and the Ramacrisna Philharmonic Orchestra. He has extensive experience as a teacher and arranger, with students who have won international awards. As a composer, he stands out for creating the Brazilian Suite for the Sesi Minas Chamber Orchestra and the UFMG Symphony Orchestra. He has performed alongside classical and popular music artists such as Caetano Veloso, Skank, Lô Borges, Seu Jorge, among others.
The Orchestra in the Media
October 21, 2024 – O Tempo – Seu Jorge se apresenta com Orquestra Filarmônica Ramacrisna
October 17, 2024 – TV Globo “Altas Horas” – Orquestra se apresenta no Altas Horas
August 24, 2024 – Hoje em Dia – Orquestra troca folhas de papel por tablet
July 12, 2024 – Rede Minas “Agenda” – Orquestra toca no Palácio das Artes em “As cores do Clube da Esquina”
july 05, 2024 – Estado de Minas – Orquestra se apresenta no Festival Movimenta Arte e Cultura
June 25, 2024 – BH Eventos – Orquestra se apresenta no Palácio das Artes em “As Cores do Clube da Esquina”
May 31, 2020 – Jornal O Tempo Online – Pandemia: Jovens da zona rural de Betim continuam seus estudos musicais virtualmente
June 19, 2020 – Super Rádio (Programa Patrulha Municipal)– Entrevista Maestro Eliseu Barros (start at 13h05)
June 20, 2020 – TV Globo “MG1” – Orquestra Betim ensaia e mantém membros com vídeo e aulas virtuais
June 11, 2020 – TV Globo “É de Casa” – Orquestra se apresenta em comunidade
